Go, Go, Go and ho, ho, ho

A grotto, ice skating, skate hire and a hot chocolate for a tenner.

I’ll repeat that, a visit to Santa for the little ones, the opportunity to crash, slide and glide and a warming drink to reset your body temperature.

Not bad value eh?

And great fun.

When I was a lad the average grotto was in a department store. Then it was reinvented in a garden centre.

But I reckon a better setting is at the entrance to an ice rink, with a seasonal activity to boot.

Top marks for the staff for being so friendly and welcoming.

And to the person whose idea it was to have an inflatable ball so you could create your own snowdome pictures for Christmas tree baubles.

And I haven’t even mentioned your gift will be a Diamond Pass for Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which gives entrance to the park including a ride on the Pleasure Beach Express, and money off unlimited ride wristbands.

It’s open every Saturday and Sunday in the run up to Christmas plus Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 24.

If you’ve decided skating should be left to the professionals and the celebrities then you could always tag on a show on the ice.

Aladdin runs from Saturday, December 21 until Wednesday, January 1.

Tickets cost £10.50 for adults, £9 for children or £33 for a family ticket for two adults and two children.

The shows start at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and are performed by young, talented skaters.

See www.icearenablackpool.com.

Alan Burrows